Wire splicer



sept- 17, 1940. `.1. RoGoFF 2,215,072

wIRE sPLIoER Filed March 25, 1939 F as 4 JULIAN RoGoFF 40 portant whenthe jaws are in advanced pos- Thus, a further object of this inventionis to Patented sepi.l11,i1e4o i A I' Y 12,215,072:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y v2,215,072 i v WIRE SPIJCER Julian 'RogomNew York, N. Y., assigner to Burndy Engineering Co. Inc., a corporationof NewYork y Application Meren 25, 1939, serial No. 264,053

i solenne korn-126) 'Ihis invention relates to improvements in conthedelicate balance of friction between the laws nectors and moreparticularly to connectors for and Wire, as'compared with the frictionbetween splicing wires. I the jaws and envelope. Unfortunately, thisbal- Such wire splicers generally consist of a ltubuance is. relativelyeasy to upset and very often 5 lar envelope or shell body with each endtapered, wires would pull free of the connector instead of 5 a set ofwedge shaped jaws in each end and a being properly gripped. For example,if the coiled spring between the'sets of jaws to keep v splicer wasdropped in dirt or sand,`foreign matthem in contact with the taperedportions of the Ater would get into the connector, often between ienvelope. When a wire is inserted into the conthe jaws and envelope andby increasing the nector, and tension is then exerted on the wire,friction at that point, Wellld prevent the .l'aWS the jaws are forcedinto contact with the wire from pulling forward into the taper.Sometimes, vand the inner surface of the tapered envelope in swaging thetapered endsI of the envelope, by Athe spring. The surface of the jawsthat rough ridges might be raised on the inner surface come in contactwith the wire are serrated or which would effectively increase thefriction beroughened to increase friction or bite between tween .iaWSand envelODe. In addten; the iaWS jaws and wire, whereas the back of thejaws are themselves may be forged 0r machined With a smooth and ride onthe smooth inner surface of rough surfacewhich may be a Cause ofincreased the envelope. The result is that the bite or friction betweenjaws and envelope.' All Athese friction between wire and jaws is greaterthan the Causes and Others. een and d0 cause wire splic- 20 frictionbetween jaws and envelope so that the erS G0 fail t0 prperly'grp WIeSinserted into jaws win pun forward with the wire into Jthe them.Jtapered envelope.` Asthe jaws move forward, the Hence, another objectof this invention is to taper forces them to exert increased pressure onProvide an auxiliary grip 0f Sueient Strength the wire and grip'the wireeven more Securely so that the presence of dirt or other foreign mat- 25Thus, the greater the tension on the wire, the ter in Ythe connectorwill not prevent the jaws more secure 1s the grip on the wre frompulling forward into the tapered portion of An object of my inventiontherefore, is to prothe enVelODevide a frictional value between the jawsand the Wire SpliCeI'S, 0f the general type herein deconductor, whichwill at all times be greater than scribed, are preeieaiiy always used Onoverhead 30 the friction between the jaws and the envelope. lilies,exposed t0 Wind, 5196i?, Storms, ei- Very The coiled Spring depended onto force the jaws often these lines are subject to considerable viintothe tapered portion of the envelope provides bration and swaying. Undersuch conditions mothe initial pressure on the Wire, preventing itsmentary release and resumption of the tension on removal. A spring, Ihave found, is an inefficient the Wires Connected by the Spleers iSquite possi- 35 mechanism for this purpose- The pressure of the ble.Where the tension is momentarily released, Spring 0n the jaws isgreatest when the jaws are the grip on the conductor is maintained onlyby in receded position and least, when the jaws the Spring 131655111@ 0nthe J'aWS, which, aS ShOWn are in advanced position. However, it isimabove, is least when it should be greatest.

non and when tension. is erst appued te the wire, provide a WireSplieerwhe'rein the wire is gripped 40 that the pressure forcing thejaws into the ta- DOSitiVeiy at 10W leIlSiOIlpel-ed portion gf theenvelope be at a Ammimum The alternate release and resumption of ten-Unfortunately, when the jaws are in advanced sien in this type 0fconnecter is sometimes aeposition, the spring is fully extended and thecompanied bya rotational movement o the wires least, not the most,pressure is exerted on the with respect to the jaws. These actions havea jaws. wearing effect on the teeth of the jaws, and on An additionalobject, consequently, consists in the conductor, which is ultimatelydestructive of providing the connector withsustained pressure thegripping action. I have found that if the applying means for propellingthe jaws into the conductor is moved in the connector, the jaws 50tapered end of the envelope. A corollary object should move with it. isto eliminate dependence on coiled springs for Another object, therefore,consists in providthis purpose. ing means for preventing relative motionbetween Wire splicers, as previously made, would work jaws andconductor. eiliciently as long as some factor did not upset Furtherobjects consist in providing a grip for 55 the conductor independent ofthe main gripping jaws; in providing a positive gripping means on theconductor which will force the main gripping jaws to go into action theinstant tension is applied; in providing auxiliary gripping means forsupplementing the gripping action by the main gripping jaws; and inobtaining all the foregoing objects in a simple and commerciallyexpedient device, easy and inexpensive'to manufacture and without addingadditional parts to the existing types.

I accomplish these and other objects and obtain my/new results as willbe apparent from the device/ described in the following description,particularly pointed out in the attached claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in

which: l

Fig. l is a side view of one end of a splicer showing one form. of theinvention, the envelope being in section. Y,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional viewv of the same taken along the line 2-2of Fig. l, and in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken along line 3-3 'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one end of my splicer taken along line 4-4of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side, view of another modification with one end in sectionand the other end with just the envelope in section.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of one end of -still another modification.

Figs. 8 and 9 are marks of some gripping means employed in theinvention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing,

Y reference numeral I0 of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, indicates the tubularenvelope, with each end tapered as at II, I2, I3 and I4, the grippingjaws, respectively, located in each tapered end; I5, the coiled spring,holding the sets of jaws apart; I6, a cap for enclosing the end of thespring; I1, the spider for holding the jaws in spaced relationship toeach other; and I8, the conductor, inserted in the open end I9 of thesplicer.

The invention, in these figures, is shown incorporated in the spider, orcap I1, which consists of a body or end section 28, having extendingfingers 2|, 22vand 23, each aperturedas at 24, 25 and 26, in the formshown, to receive the rivet head 21, 28 and 29, shown as integral withthe Jaws. obtained by cut-outs 30, 3| and 32, forming a Y as seen fromthe view shown in Fig. 3, which cutouts terminate in tongues 33, 34 and35, in extending ngers 2l, 22 and 23, respectively.

'I'hus each extending finger is made more exible by forming the tonguetherein, leaving side walls 36 and 31, in the case of finger 22, up tothe end seated on the jaw I3 where the aperture 25 is formed.

This exibility is desirable where surface irregularities in the insideof the shell cause the jaws to assume slightly changed longitudinalpositions, or where it is desired to grip various sized conductors.

supported by end sections 38 and 39; nger 23,

by end sections 39 and 40; and finger 2|, by end sections 40 and 38.

The tongues 33, 34 and 35 are inwardly bent.

`tion 65.

Exceptional flexibility of the spider is as shown in Fig. l, and have alength suicient to positively engage a conductor or wire insertedtherein. The biting edges of the tongues may be V-shaped, as shown bythe mark 402:, formed on conductor 4I, or arch-shaped, as shown by mark42, on conductor 43, or some other suitable shape, designed to preventrotation of the conductor with respect to the jawsv to which they areattached. Eliminating such relative movement, as has been previouslystated, will prevent wear of the surface of the conductors, and grippingsurfaces of the jaws.

The modification just described combines the ordinary jaw spider and thepositive initial-gripping means.

A somewhat similar combination is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here thejaws 50, 5I and 52 are provided with apertures 53, 54 and 55. The spideror metal cap 56 is formed with extending fingers or prongs 51, 58 vand5'9, passing through apertures 53, 54 and 55, respectively, and engagingwire end 68 extending therethrough, similarly to tongues 33, 34 and 35as in Fig. l.

Thus the extending fingers or tongues for posi- 1 tive initial grip,pass through the jaws themselves and support them in proper alignment.

In the remaining modication shown in Fig. 7, the jaws 6I are providedwith inwardly projecting shoulders 62, passing through apertures 63positioned between annular ridge 64, and cylindrical gripping section 65integral thereto. A set screw 66, passes through transversely formed,threaded recess 61, in section 65, to positively grip conductor 58passing through the recess 69 located longitudinally of both ridge 64and sec- A slot 10, in envelope 1I, permits a tool to be inserted formanipulating set screw 66.

A washer 12 is positioned between each set of jaws to prevent theconductor or wire 68 from projecting too far beyond its gripping section65.

In each of the foregoing modifications, it will be apparent that theconductors are gripped even at zero tension in the wires themselves.Furthermore, when tension is created, the jaws are positively forcedinto' the tapered ends of the envelopes or shells, simultaneouslyincreasing the gripping pressure on the conductor. When the tension isreleased or if the conductor is twisted, the jaws are neverthelesspositively positioned with respect to the conductor and will movetherewith.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that itis not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, thesame being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carriedout in other wayswithout departing from the spirit of my invention, and,therefore, I claim broadly the right to employ all equivalentinstrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claims, and bymeans of which, objects of my invention are attained and new resultsaccomplished, as it is obvious that the particular embodiments hereinshown and described are only some of the many that can be employedto\attain these objects and accomplish these results.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

I claim:

l. A connector comprising a' shell body having a cone-shaped internalsurface and an opening therein adjacent the smallest cross-section ofthe cone-shaped surface for the insertion of a. conductor; a pluralityof wedge-shaped gripping jaws each with conductor and shell engagingsur- :,aitma faces and an end aperture; and a sheet metal spider havingprojecting fingers extending therefrom passing through and operativelyengagedwith the end apertures in each jaw and forming conductor grippingmeans. y

2. A connector comprising 4a shell body having a cone-shaped internalsurface and an opening" therein adjacent the smallest cross-section ofthe cone-shaped surface for the insertion of a conductor; la pluralityof Wedge-shaped gripping jaws each with conductor and shell engagingsurfaces;

and a sheet metal cap having projecting fingers' therein, adjacent thesmallest crosssection of 'y the cone-shaped surface, for the insertionof a conductor; a wedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor and shellengaging surfaces; and means for operative engagement with thewedgeshaped gripping jaw, positioned within the shell 'body for engagingthe conductor inserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto,independently of any longitudinal tension in the conductor.

4. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped internalsurface, and an openingl therein; adjacent the smallest crosssection ofthe cone-shaped surface, for the insertionof a conductor; a wedge-shapedgripping jaw with conductor and shell engaging surfaces; and means, foroperative engagement with the wedge-shaped g'ripping jaw, positionedwithin the shell body for engagingy the conductor inserted into theconnector and applying pressure thereto, independently of anylongitudinal tension in the conductor, said means connected to saidwedge-shaped gripping jaw whereby a movement by the conductor engaged bysaid means will cause said means and Jaw to move with the conductor.

5. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped internalsurface, and an opening therein, adjacent the smallest cross-section ofthe cone-shaped surface, for the insertion of a conductor; awedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor and shell engaging surfaces;and means, for operative engagement with the wedge- 'named grippingJaw', positioned within the sneu body for engaging the conductorinserted into the connector and applying pressure thereto, in-

dependently of any longitudinal tension .in the conductor, saidwedge-shaped gripping jaw positioned between the opening in the shelland saidmeans.

6. A connector comprising a shell body having `a `coneshaped internalsurface and an opening therein adjacent the smallest cross-section ofbody;

the cone-'shaped surface for the insertion of a.

jaws each with conductor and `shell engaging surfaces; means forvoperative engagement -with the wedge-shaped gripping jaws positionedwithin the shell, for supporting said jaws in radial alignment about theconductor, said means provided. with conductor engaging surfaces,independent of said jaws.

'1. A connector comprising a therein, adjacent the smallestcross-sectionof the coneshaped surface, for the insertion of a conductor; awedge-shaped gripping jaw with conductor andshell engaging surfaces: and

means, for operative engagement with the wedgeshaped. gripping jaw,positioned within the shell body having a longitudinal recess 'thereinfor the insertion 'of the conductor therethrough, ,a

. transversely extending tapped aperture, extending to the longitudinalrecess. and a set-screw for .threaded engagement therethrough forsecuring the end 'of the conductor inserted into the recess, to saidmeans.

,8. A connector comprising a shell body having a cone-shaped` internalsurface, and an opening therein,v adjacent the'smallest cross-section ofthe cone-shaped surface, for the insertion of 'a conductor; awedge-shaped gripping .jaw with conductor and -shell 4engaging surfaces:and means. lfor operative engagement with the wedgeshaped gripping jaw,positioned within the shellA body for engaging the conductor insertedinto the connector and applying pressure thereto, independently of anylongitudinal tension inthe conductor, said means having 'gripping edges,adapted to resist longitudinal movement of the conductor.

aoc-ioni.

sneu body having.. a cone-shaped internal surface, and an openingconductor; 'a plurality of wedge-shaped grippingv and rotational

